Company says trans-Alaska oil pipeline more likely to restart Friday after spill shutdown

Company: Restart of Alaska pipeline likely Friday

JUNEAU, Alaska — The operator of the trans-Alaska pipeline system pushed back to Friday its goal for resuming the flow of oil through the 800-mile line shut down earlier this week after a contained spill.

Operator Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. had hoped to restart the line Thursday night.

But spokeswoman Michelle Egan says the process of getting back on-line is taking longer than expected. She says a restart as early as “first thing” Friday morning appears more likely.